“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” – Romans 15:13

So if you are asking “Is there hope?” the answer is “Yes!” If you are struggling with feelings of hopelessness I encourage you read “whatsoever things were written” and meditate on God’s mighty miracles that you “through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” ( Rom. 15:4). – HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346 

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” – Romans 5:3–5

Our attitude is not determined by our circumstances. Some people are joyful during times of great trial. Others are discontent even in times of plenty. Our attitude is determined by our view of those circumstances. If we view hard times as something unfair or surprising, we will be likely to allow them to drag us down. On the other hand, if we view hard times as part of God’s purpose for our lives, we will be likely to keep our joy.

Nothing ever happens that takes God by surprise. Many times we are blindsided by things we didn’t see coming, but He never is. And while there are times when His plan involves us going through great hardship and trial, there is never a time when we get there accidentally. Our hardships are an opportunity for our faith to grow and God’s power to be displayed. Writing to people who were literally being killed for their faith, Peter said, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:13).

In Pilgrim’s Progress, when Christian and Hopeful are trapped in Doubting Castle by the Giant Despair, they spend days in a basement prison. Finally, Christian remembers something important. “‘What a fool,’ quoth he, ‘am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom called Promise; that will, I am persuaded, open any lock in Doubting Castle.’“ The key works, and the two walk free rejoicing to continue on to the Celestial City. Because of our faith in God’s purpose for our lives and our belief in His promises, we can be joyful in the most difficult circumstances. (Daily in the Word)

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee” – Psalm 81:16

There are great lessons to be learned even from the failures of God’s people recorded in the Scriptures. God says if His people had obeyed His voice He would have subdued their enemies and fed them with honey out of the rock. But they rebelled and walked in their own counsels.

How sad that a people who that could have enjoyed the richest of blessings from their gracious God were instead given up to their own desires and suffered the consequences of their disobedience.

How often have you neglected the place of blessing? There is counsel and comfort in God’s Word but you have spent little time reading it. There are rich mercies to be found at the throne of grace but you have neglected prayer. There are joys and blessings to be found in God’s house but you have been attracted by the empty promises of the world.

Churches sometimes mourn the loss of spiritual fervor enjoyed in former days. But instead of being brought to repentance for sin and neglect, the excuse is made that we live in difficult times. The lack of power in preaching is a concern but still messages to make people feel good take precedence over sound biblical exposition.

The next time you are facing temptation to sin or to squander God’s blessings, remember this: God is willing and able to bless His people. Today, heed His call to return. Call upon Him, knowing He is willing to hear and ready to bless. – Baptist Bible Hour

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” – Acts 8:2–4

Too many times, we allow opposition, trouble, persecution, and enmity to stop us from doing what God has called us to do. But that is always a choice. We can continue to do right and work for Him, no matter what is going on around us. The early church in Jerusalem faced harsh persecution, even to the point of death, for preaching about Jesus. When they were forced to flee for their lives, they continued to spread the gospel everywhere they went. We never have to stop doing what is right, no matter how difficult circumstances may become.

Though George Liele was born into slavery in Georgia in 1750, he believed God had called him into ministry. His master, Henry Sharpe, gave George his freedom so that he could begin traveling and preaching across the South. But when Sharpe was killed during the Revolutionary War, his descendants tried to re-enslave Liele, and he was put back in jail for a time. After defending his right to freedom, Liele and his family moved to Jamaica. His powerful preaching there sparked opposition, and Liele was again thrown in jail. Undeterred by the persecution, he continued preaching on his release. By the time Liele died, he had baptized hundreds of converts and built a strong church in Jamaica.

There are often hardships in life because the devil is actively working to discourage and defeat those who are working for God. We can feel sorry for ourselves and quit, or, like Stephen and like George Liele, we can continue to do what is right, trusting God for the outcome. The fact that there is trouble and opposition to us serving God does not require us to give up—we can keep going strong.(Daily in the Word)

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” II Chronicles 32:7, 8

Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, invaded Judah and sought to conquer the cities, including Jerusalem. Hezekiah, the godly king of Judah, took steps to strengthen the defenses of the city, set captains over the people, then called the people together to speak to them. His words of comfort and encouragement are the subject of our consideration today.

Hezekiah urged his people not to be afraid of the king of Assyria, nor his vast army. He may have had a mighty army, but Hezekiah was confident that God was on the side of Judah. “With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles.” What timely and faith-building words were delivered to God’s people, and they took courage because of them. The Word of God says, “the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” They took his words to heart and believed that God would be with them and would give the victory.

We have this same assurance today, and how comforting it is! “With us is the LORD our God to help us.” Dear child of God, do you believe that today? Do you believe that God Himself is with us? We are not left to fight our battles in our own might or strength. The Lord is with us, “to help us, and to fight our battles.” We, too, fight battles, only not as Judah did in our text. We fight battles with our flesh, and with the devil, and with thoughts that are not godly, etc. He is with us to help us fight these battles. He has promised to give us strength, wisdom, and power. Sometimes we must deal with discouragement, but we are not alone. He has assured us of His continual presence.

God gives us these great promises in the Bible that we might rest ourselves upon the Words of God. God wants us to trust in Him and not rely upon our own resources. Hezekiah said that the king of Assyria came in the “arm of flesh.” The arm of flesh will always fail. We are not to trust in the arm of our flesh, but in the power of God.-Thomas Smith

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346